Threshing machines



June 10, 1969 c. VAN DER LELY THRESHING MACHINES $heec of8 Filed Jan. 20, 1966 5 m h 0 n 0 m a a u A k I, :4 9 \y \3 j a n a June 10, 1969 c. VAN DER LELY 3,448,566

THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan.- 20. 1966 Sheet 2 of 8 INVENTOR co /V5415 VAN 0E4 LELV C. VAN DER LELY June, 10, 1969 3,448,566

' THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20', 1966 Sheet 3 of s 3 39 m! M 4 5 0 36 i 4/ 2/ INVENTOR 6)OP/VL /5 VAN 05p [4 v June 10, 1969 VAN DER LEgY I 3,448,565

THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20, 1966 Sheet 4 018 INVENTOR am/v5. 15' VAN 0510 [EL y WW, z/Z K%% June, 10, 1969 c. VAN DER LELY 3,443,566

THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20. 1966 Sheet 5 of8 INVENTOR Gap/v54 l6 VAN 054 1.61 K

. zm/ WWW W 0/ 21 "6 June 10,.1969 c. VAN DER L.E|. Y I 3,448,566

. THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20,1966 Sheet 6 of 8- INVENTOR Gap/v54 l5 VAN 050 1:1 V

JunelO, 1969 I c. VAN DER LELY 3,448,566

THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan 20, 1966 INVENTOR aw/51 13 VAN DE? 1 54 V June 10, 1969 Q VAN DER LY 3,448,566

THRESHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20,. 1966 Sheet 8 or 8 INVENTOR v ao /vfus VAN DEA L51. 5

United States Patent US. CI. 56-21 45 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A threshing machine with a cutter at the front end of the machine and a threshing drum is located to the rear of the cutter. A series of conveyors, supporting members and separators are located to the rear of the threshing drum for separating grain from the crop. An endless conveyor is positioned above a perforated supporting member to move crop over the supporting member.

This invention relates to threshing machines and/or machines such as combine harvesters having threshing mechanisms and separating mechanisms for the separation of grain or the like from threshed and/ or unthreshed crop.

The term threshing machine is intended to include machines having threshing and separating mechanisms and will hereinafter be referred to as a threshing machine of the kind set forth.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a threshing machine of the kind set forth, wherein the separating mechanism comprises a supporting member provided with openings over which the crop is forced to move during operation.

For a better understanding of the invention and the method by which the same can be performed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a threshing machine in accordance with the invention in the form of a combine harvester,

FIGURE 2 is a side view, to an enlarged scale, showing the arrangement of a mowing platform on the frame at the front of the combine harvester,

FIGURE 3 is a view, partly in section and to an enlarged scale, taken on the line III-III in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the combine harvester,

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 show the forward, middle and rear parts respectively of the combine harvester to an enlarged scale taken on the line VV in FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 8 is a view, to an enlarged scale, showingthe construction and connection of a tine on a reel of the combine harvester,

FIGURE 9 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow IX in FIGURE 8,

FIGURE 10 is a view, similar to FIGURE 8, but showing an alternative arrangement,

FIGURE 11 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XI in FIGURE 10,

FIGURE 12 is a view, to an enlarged scale, showing part of the threshing mechanism comprising a plateshaped element and a co-operating conveyor located above said element,

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of part of the element,

FIGURE 14 is a view showing part of the section of a second embodiment of the element,

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken on the line XVXV in FIGURE 14,

FIGURES 16 and 17 are plan views of parts of the ele- "ice ment of FIGURE 14, there being shown openings in said element which are formed in different ways,

FIGURE 18 is a sectional view, to an enlarged scale, taken on the line XVIII-XVIII in FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 19 is a sectional view taken on the line XIX- XIX in FIGURE 18, and

FIGURE 20 is a view of the opposite side of the combine harvester to that shown in FIGURE 1, the view showing the drive to the various working parts of the combine harvester.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a combine harvester containing or comprising a threshing machine. The combine harvester is provided with a horizontal chassis frame 1 (FIGURE 1) on the bottom of the combine harvester, the frame 1 comprising two spaced frame beams 2 and 3 which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester and have their front ends interconnected by a frame beam 4 extending perpendicular to the intended direction of travel A of the combine harvester. The frame beam 4 (FIGURE 4) is located slightly forwardly of and below the front ends of the frame beams 2 and 3 (FIGURE 5) and is connected to said beams 2 and 3 by means of parallel strips 5. It will be evident from FIGURE 4 that the frame beam 4 extends outwardly beyond the frame beams 2 and 3. The rear ends of the frame beams 2 and 3 are interconnected by means of a frame beam 6 and, at a given distance forwardly of the beam 6, a frame beam 7 is arranged between the beams 2 and 3 and extends parallel to said beam 6.

The beams 6 and 7 are interconnectd near their centers by a frame beam 8 which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester and to the beams 2 and 3. The frame beam 8 is provided near its center with two spaced downwardly projecting lugs 9'(FIGURES 3 and 7), and a pin 10 is mounted between said lugs 9 and extends parallel to said longitudinal axis. The pin 10 carries depending lugs 11 which are arranged between the lugs 9 and are fastened to a beam 12 which extends transversely of the direction A. The beam 12 is provided at each end with bearings 13 (FIGURE 3) in which Wheel mounts 14 are turnably received. The mounts 14 carry arms 15 which are coupled with a steering device (not shown). Each mount 14 carries a stub shaft 16 on which a corresponding ground wheel -17 is rotatably mounted.

It will be seen from FIGURE 3 that the bearings 13 and stub shafts 16 are arranged in such a way that the planes of the ground wheels 17 are inclined to the vertical and, in fact, the wheels toe in which assists in the steering of the combine harvester. The beam 6 is provided near its center with two lugs 18 (FIGURES 3 and 7) which are mounted one above the other and are formed with holes 19. A trailer or other agricultural implement, such as a baler, can be coupled with the rear of the combine harvester by means of said lugs 18, Near the front of the chassis frame 1, but at a given distance behind the frame beam 4, a square cross-section shaft 20' (FIGURES 4 and 6) supports the frame beams 2 and 3, and ground wheels 21 are rotatably mounted near the opposite ends of said shaft 20.

Referring to FIGURE 1, it will be evident that parallel frame beams 22v are mounted on the frame 1 and extend upwardly and forwardly therefrom parallel to said longitudinal axis. The frame beams 22 are arranged on the outer sides of the combine harvester and one pair of beams 22 is arranged near the rear ends of the beams 2 and 3 and the other pair is arranged near the center of the frame 1. The upper ends of the beams 22 in each pair are interconnected by an angle beam 23 (FIGURE 3) whereas the beams 22 arranged on the same side have their upper ends interconnected by means of beams 23A 3 which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis (FIG- URE 1).

Referring to FIGURE 3, it will 'be apparent that the beams 22 have portions 24 which extend outwardly and upwardly from the chassis frame 1 and merge into vertical portions which are connected to the angle beams 23. The beams 22 and the chassis frame 1 comprise a supporting structure for side walls 26 made of sheet metal, the shape of the side walls 26 being shown in FIGURES l and 3. The upper edges of the walls 26 adjoin an upper wall 27 (FIGURE 3) which has a corrugated shape, the corrugations extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. The walls 26 and 27 comprise a housing mounted on the chassis frame and accommodating the parts of the threshing and cleaning mechanisms which will be described more fully later.

The frame beam 4 is provided at its ends with lugs 28 which extend upwardly and slightly rearwardly therefrom (FIGURE 2). Each lug 28 receives a pin 29 which extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. A-n arm 39 is turnably mounted on each pin 29, each arm 30 extending parallel to said longitudinal axis. A cutter bar 31 is arranged between the two arms 30 and extend transversely of said longitudinal axis, said cutter bar 31 forming part of the cutting mechanism of the combine harvester (FIGURES 4 and The cutter bar 31 is joined to a rearwardly projecting plate or wall 32 (FIGURE 5). Each arm carries a vertical wall 33 which extends upwardly therefrom and carries a crop divider 34 at the front. To this end, each vertical wall 33 is provided on part of its upper edge with a bent-over portion 35 (FIGURE 4). The cutter bar 31 supported by the arms 30 and the plate 32 and walls 33'comprises a mowing platform 36 which is pivotally connected to the chassis frame 1 by means of the arms 30 and the pins 29. It will be seen from FIGURES 2 and 4 that the plate 32 and walls 33 of the mowing platform 36 join the downwardly extending forward parts of the walls 26 of the housing which accommodates the threshing and cleaning mechanisms. It will be seen from FIGURE 4 that the forward ends of the walls 26 are located just inside the walls 33 of the mowing platform 36.

From FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the lower sides of the lugs 28 are connected with 'blocks 38 by means of pins 37. Each block 38 is formed with a cylindrical bore through which one end of a corresponding rod 39 is taken, the rod 39 being slidable in said bore. The rod 39 is surrounded by a compression spring 40 which extends between the block 38 and a shoulder 41 provided on the arm 30. The rod 39 is connected to the arm 30 and hence a resilient support for the mowing platform 36 is obtained. Each arm 30 is provided with a thickened portion 42 which is adapted to move along the surface of the ground during operation. A plate 43 (FIGURE 2) is arranged near the pivotal axis for the mowing platform 36 which is afforded by the pins 29, the plate 43 being arranged on the upper sides of the arms 30. The uppermost point of the plate 43 is pivotally connected to a fork 45 by means of a pin 44, the fork 45 being carried by one end of a rod 46 which has a fork 47 arranged on its other end. The fork 47 is pivoted to an arm 48 which is turna'bly mounted on the frame of the combine harvester on a pin 49. The upper end of the arm 48 carries a pin 50 which is freely movable between the limbs of a fork 51 of a lever 52 that is pivoted to the frame by means of a pin 53. It will be evident that turn ing of the lever 52 about the axis of the pin 53 can cause the mowing platform 36 to be raised and lowered.

A reel 57 is arranged above the mowing platform 36 and comprises two relatively spaced hexagonal supports 58 which are arranged one at each end of the reel 57. Tine-carrying beams are arranged between corresponding apices of the supports 58 in such a way that they are rotatable about their longitudinal axes relative to the supports 58 so that tines 59 mounted on the beams 60 can occupy chosen fixed angular positions relative to the vertical.

Two alternative constructions of tine 59 are shown in more detail in FIGURES 8 to 11. Referring first to FIG- URES 8 and 9', there is shown a circular cross-section beam 60 which has an angle beam 61 secured thereto and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam 60. From FIGURE 9 it will be seen that two adjacent tines 59 are made from a single length of spring steel and each tine comprises a number of turns 62 which meet the other tine in a portion 63 which is secured to a limb 66 of the angle beam 61 by means of a clamping plate 64 and bolt 65. Since the beams 60 are freely rotatable, the limbs 66 always extend in downward direction.

The embodiment of FIGURES 10 and 11 is similar in many ways to that of the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 9 and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the tine beam or bat 67 is made of curved sheet metal into a substantially square cross-section beam. The ends 68 and 69 extend downwardly below the remainder of the beam 67 and form an element 70 to which the tines 59 are secured in the same manner as in the preceding embodiment. The turns or coils 62 engage one side of the beam 67 and also the element 70. It will be seen in FIG- URE 10 that the end 68 has a slightly bent extension 71 which serves as a stop for limiting deflection of the tine during operation.

.The reel 57 is provided with a rotatable driving shaft 72 (FIGURE 2) which is journalled in the ends of two supporting arms 73 which are located one on each side of the mowing platform 36 and are pivoted thereto by means of pins 74 journalled in supports 75 carried by the upper edges of the walls 33. A supporting arm 73 is pivoted to the upper side of one of the walls 33 (FIG- URE 2) by means of a pin 76 and support 76A. The free end of the arm 77 is formed with a hole through which a locking pin 78 is taken. The reel 57 can be fixed in a plurality of angular settings about the pins 74 by taking the pin 78 through any chosen one of holes 79 formed in the adjacent arm 73.

Referring to FIGURE 5, there is shown a threshing drum 80 located immediately behind the mowing platform and rotatable on a shaft 81 extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. It will be seen from FIGURE 2 that the shaft 81 is held in a slot 82 in the walls 26 and is journalled in an arm 84 pivotally mounted at one end on the frame by means of a pin 83. The other end of the arm 84 carries a fork 86 by means of a pin 85, the fork 86 being carried at one end of a rod 87 which is taken through an opening formed in a block 88. The block 88 is pivoted to a lever 91 by means of a pin 89, the lever 91 being pivoted to the frame by means of a pin 90. A compression spring 92 surrounds the rod 87 and extends between the fork 86 and the block 88. The end of the lever 91 remote from the block 88 is pivoted to a fork 94 which is connected to a screwthreaded crank 95 by means of a pin 93. The crank 95 is rotatably received in a screwthreaded sleeve 97 mounted on the combine harvester near the drivers seat 96.

' The threshing drum 80 extends throughout the width of the cutting mechanism comprising the cutter bar 31 and is arranged to co-operate with a thresher concave 98 (FIGURE 5) The front end of the concave 98 adjoins a channel member 99 which extends transversely of the direction A and affords a stone trap. The channel 99 comprises an upright limb 100 which adjoins a bent-over part 101 of the plate 32 which affords the lower wall of the mowing platform 36.

-The major part of the ears of corn or other crop are threshed by the threshing drum 80 in co-operation with the concave 98. Rearwardly of the threshing drum 80 there is provided a separating mechanism. This includes a guide 102 (FIGURES 5 and 6) which is generally arcuate, ex-

tends throughout the width of the threshing drum 80 and is arranged to co-operate with the drum 80 and concave 98. The guide 102 comprises laminations'104 which are arranged between two relatively spaced supports 103, through FIGURES 5 and 6 show only one of the supports 103. The supports 103 are interconnected at their ends remote from the threshing drum 80 by a beam 105 and at their ends adjacent the drum 80 by a beam 106. The laminations 104 are disposed equidistant from each other and extend parallel to each other in a substantially vertical direction. The guide 102 is pivoted at its end remote from the drum 80 by means of lugs 107 depending from the guide 102 and mounted On aligned pins 108 which are secured to the frame of the combine harvester. The forward end of the guide 102 is resiliently mounted on the frame by means of a rod 109 which depends from the beam 106, is slidable with respect to the frame and is surrounded by a compression spring 110 which affords resilient support of the guide 102 which can thus turn resiliently about the pins 108. The beam 106 is also provided with an outwardly extending arm 111 which is taken through a slot 112 (FIGURE 2) in one of the walls 26. The arm 111 is engaged by the lower end of a rod 114 which is journalled in a bearing 113 fixed to the side wall 26 concerned, the rod 114 being pivoted to an angle lever 116 which is adjustable along an arcuate strip 115.

The separating mechanism comprises rearwardly of the guide 102 a supporting member 117 (FIGURES 6 and 7) which extends throughout the width of the threshing drum 80. The height of the member or element 117 is small relative to its length and width and the member or element 117 can be considered as a plate-shaped or relatively thin element. It should be noted, however, that the element need not be formed by a plate and that other suitable construction, such as an endless movable canvas or the like may be utilised. The forward end of the member or element 117 is pivoted to the frame by means of aligned pins 118 which extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. The plate-shaped element 117 is, in this embodiment, an integral plate 119 which is provided with corrugations extending transversely of said longitudinal axis (FIGURES 6, 7 and 12). The plate 119 is arranged on beams 120 which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis and are shaped in such a manner that the plate 119 bows upwardly so that the center is located at a higher level than the two opposite ends. Near the rear of the element 117, an upstanding pin 122, which is secured to a stop 123 mounted on the frame, is taken through a hole formed in a support of the element and a compression spring 124 extends between the stop 123 and said support. It will thus be evident that the element 117 can oscillate resiliently about the pins 118.

Referring to FIGURE 13, it will be seen that the plate 119 is formed with slots 125 which are arranged in rows transversely of said longitudinal axis. The slots of one row are inclined at about 45 to said longitudinal axis and extend parallel to each other. In two adjacent rows, the slots 125 extend in opposite directions relative to said longitudinal axis. From FIGURE 12 it will be seen that the slots 125 commence in the valley of a corrugation and extend up to a neighbouring crest. The slots 125 located near the sides of the plate 119 are shorter than the remainder in their rows.

An alternative embodiment of element I117 is shown in FIGURES 14 to 17. The element 117 is comprised by a plurality of interconnected strips 126 which extend transversely of said longitudinal axis (FIGURE 16). The ends 127 and .128 of adjacent strips are bent over in relatively opposite directions so that, as will be seen in FIGURE 14, a corrugated shape of the element 117 is obtained when the strips 126 are secured to each other. The strips 126 are provided with limbs 127A (FIGURES 14 and by means of which the strips 126 are secured to beams 128A which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis. The connection with the beams 128A, which have their lower ends 129 bent inwardly, may be such that, when viewed from aside, the same gently arched shape is obtained as in the preceding embodiment. It will be evident from FIGURE 16 that each strip 126 is provided with a plurality of slots 130 which extend up to the bent-over ends 127 and 128 (FIGURE 14). The slots 130 extend parallel to each other and at approximately 30 to said longitudinal axis.

In two adjacent strips 126, the slots 130 extend in opposite directions and, as in the previous embodiment, the slots 130 near the sides of the strips are shorter than the remainder in their rows. As will be seen in FIGURE 17, a strip 126 may be provided with two rows of slots 131, in each of which rows the slots 13.1 extend parallel to each other and at angle of about 30 to said longitudinal axis. The slots 131 of two adjacent rows are relatively offset latenally of said longitudinal axis and extend in opposite directions. It will also be apparent from FIGURE 17 that neighbouring slots of adjacent strips extend in opposite directions. As in the previous embodiment, adjacent strips are arranged in such a way that the slots are laterally rela- .tively offset. In the embodiment of FIGURES 14 to 17,

the slots 130 and Y131 are so disposed that their ends extend approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis over a very short distance.

Referring again to FIGURES 5 to 7, it will be seen that a member for displacing the crop afforded by an endless convey-or 132 is arranged above the guide 102 and the plate-shaped element 117. The conveyor is taken around sprockets and .136 mounted on shafts 133 and 134 at the front and rear respectively, said sprockets rotating in the direction of the arrow D during operation so that the endless conveyor 132 moves rearwardly over the guide 102 and element 117 to thresh and separate the grain or the like from the remainder of the crop. The shafts 133 and 134 extend transversely of said longitudinal axis, the shaft 133 being located directly behind the threshing drum 80 and the shaft 134 being journalled in the frame of the machine behind the element 117. The shaft 133 is located at a lower level than the shaft 134 so that the conveyor .132 is urged intoengagement with the guide 102 and element 117. The sprockets 13-5 and 136 mounted respectively on the shafts 133 and '134 engage chains 137 (FIGURE 12) which form the driving mechanism for the endless conveyor 132. The lower sides of the sprockets 135 and 136 are located at a lower level than the upper part of the element 117. It will be seen in FIGURE 12 that lateral supports 138 are provided which extend between the chains 137 transversely of said longitudinal axis and are connected with the chains 137 by means of supports 139 and bolts 140.

It will be seen that the supports 138 comprise angles, the two limbs of which extend respectively horizontally and downwardly towards the guide 1102 and element 117. The depending limb of each support 138 carries a strip 141 of an elastic material, prefenably rubber impregnated canvas. The strips .141 are clamped to said depending limbs by means of clamping strips 143 and bolts 142. The endless conveyor 132 runs over guide rollers mounted on shafts 144 journalled in the frame and extending transversely of said longitudinal axis, said rollers 145 being located above the transition between the guide 102 and element 117. The shafts 133 and 134 are located in such a way that the lower run of the endless conveyor 132- can co-operate substantially throughout the length of said run with the upper surface of the guide 102 and the crests of the element 117. It will be seen in FIGURES 6 and 7 that the element 117 extends substantially completely above a cleaning mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 146.

FIGURE 7 shows that a rotary shaft 147 is arranged behind the element 117, the shaft 147 extending parallel to the shaft 134 and being arranged to be driven from the shaft '134. Rubber blades 148 are mounted on the shaft 147 which rotates in the direction of the arrow E during operation. The shaft 147 is coupled with an eccentric 149 connected to a rod .150 extending parallel to said longitudinal axis and coupled with an end of an arm 151 of an angle lever 152. The angle lever 152 is pivoted to the frame by means of a pin 153 and the other arm 154 of the angle lever 152 is pivoted to the rear end of one of the beams supporting the element 117. It will thus be evident that, upon rotation of the shaft 149, the element 117 will perform vibrating motion in a substantially vertical direction about the pins .118 against resilient action of the spring 124.

The cleaning mechanism 146 comprises conventional sieves 155 which are arranged one above the other, but with the lower one spaced slightly to the rear of the upper one. A fan 156 is provided to blow a stream of air through and along the sieves 155. Collecting troughs 157 and 158 are arranged below the cleaning mechanism 146, extended transversely of the direction A and are located one behind the other. The trough 1 57 which is located forwardly of the trough 158 has a worm or auger 159 arranged therein which co-operates with a conventional elevator 160. The elevator 160 feeds a grain tank 161 which is arranged above the housing accommodating the threshing and cleaning mechanism and between the angle beams 23 and 23a. The elevator 160 can take the form of a Jacobs ladder. From FIGURE 6 it will 'be seen that the elevator 160 joins an anger 162 which extends transversely of said longitudinal axis in a horizontal direction above the tank and the tank 161 accommodates an endless conveyor belt 163 which is taken over guide rollers 164. The conveyor belt 163 carries a plurality of catchers 166 which are arranged between chains 165. The conveyor belt 163 is also taken around a drive roller 167. An auger 168 is arranged near the bottom of the tank 161 and extends parallel to the auger 162, the auger 168 being provided for unloading threshed crop, such as grain,

from the tank.

The trough 158 has an auger 169 arranged therein which communicates with a conveyor or an elevator 170 (FIGURES 1, 2 and 4) which extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom and opens out above the threshing drum 80. The elevator 170 comprises a casing 171 (FIG- URE 19) inside which an endless conveyor belt 172, preferably made of canvas, is arranged. Near the middle of the belt 172, it is fastened to a driving chain (FIG- URES 18 and 19) by means of bolts 173 and angle sup ports 174. The chain 175 is taken over sprockets 176 which are arranged near the ends of the casing 171. One sprocket is arranged on the shaft 177 of the auger 169 and the other sprocket is arranged on the shaft 178 (FIGURES 18 and 19) journalled in the casing 171 near the upper end of the elevator 170. From FIGURES 18 and 19, it will be seen that a partition 179 is arranged above the conveyor belt 172 and divides the conveyor 'belt into two identical portions 180 and 181. Below the upper run of the conveyor belt 172, there is arranged a guide 182 (FIGURE 19) which is secured to the side walls of the casing 171 and is provided with a channel member 183 within which the chain 175 moves during operation.

From FIGURES 18 and 19 it will be seen that the casing 171 is not closed on its bottom side, but this opening is closed by the lower run of the conveyor belt 172. The casing 171 merges into a spout 184 which opens out above the threshing drum 80. The portion 180 of the conveyor belt 172 communicates with the trough 158 and the portion 181 communicates with a feeder 185 (FIG- URES 3 and 4) which extends upwardly and rearwardly to open out into one end of a collecting gutter 186 (FIG- URE 7) which extends transversely of said longitudinal axis throughout the width of the element 117 near the rear edge thereof. The gutter 186 slopes gently downwards towards the feeder 185. The casing 171 of the elevator 170 is provided, at the level of the drivers seat, with an elongated opening 187 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 4) through which the portions 180 and 181 of the endless conveyor belt 172 can be seen by the driver sitting on his seat.

Referring again to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, an endless conveyor 188 is arranged beneath the thresher concave 98 and the guide 102 adjoining same, the conveyor 188 being guided over rollers 189 mounted on shafts 190 and 191 located at the upper and lower ends respectively of the conveyor 188. The shaft 190 is located approximately above the fan 156 and the shaft 191 is located below the threshing drum 80.

A hood 193 is arranged above the threshing drum 80 and is pivotable about a shaft 192 which extends transversely of said longitudinal axis, the hood 193 being located between the forward portions of the side walls 26.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be seen that a space 194 is enclosed behind the tank 161 and a motor 195 is arranged inside said space 194. The motor 195 preferably has a power output of the order of 60 horse power and is provided to drive the ground wheels 21 and the working parts of the combine harvester. Drive is taken from the motor 195 by way of a driving shaft 196 which extends transversely of the intended direction of operative travel A. The drive from the shaft 196 is shown in more detail in FIGURE 20. The shaft 196 carries pulleys which are rotatable therewith and have cooperating ropes or belts arranged to drive the various working arts of the combine harvester. A pulley 198 arranged on the foremost shaft 133 of the endless conveyor 132 is driven by way of a belt 197 The pulley 198 drives a continuously variable change-speed gear 199 which drives the driving shaft 81 of the threshing drum 80. The fan 156 is driven by way of a belt 200 and pulley 201 mounted on the driving shaft 202 of the fan 156. The conveyor 188 (FIGURE 5) is driven from the fan shaft 202 by way of a belt 203 and pulley 204 mounted on the shaft 190 of the conveyor 188. The drive to the conveyor 132 is obtained by way of the drive shaft 134 which is located to the rear of the plate-shaped element 117. The shaft 134 carries a pulley 205 which is coupled with a continuously variable change-speed gear 207 through a belt 206, the gear 207 constituting the driving connection with the main driving shaft 196 of the motor 195. The shaft 147 located behind the shaft 134 and provided with the blades 148, is driven by a belt 208 from the shaft 134.

A shaft 209 (FIGURE 4) is arranged above the drum 80 and extends transversely of said longitudinal axis and is connected through universal joints 210 with stub shafts 211 which are journalled in bearings 212 secured to the upper sides of the foremost portions of the walls 26. Each stub shaft 211 is provided with a pulley 213 (FIGURE 20), one of which is linked by a belt 214 to the shaft 202 of the fan 156 whereas the other pulley 213 is coupled through a continuously variable changed-speed gear 215 with a belt transmission 216 for the drive to the reel 57. The change-speed gear 215 is also coupled with a transmission (not shown) for driving the knife of the cutter bar 31 of the platform 36.

The drive to the auger 169 arranged in the trough 158 is obtained from the shaft 202 of the fan 156. The auger 159 in the trough 157 and the conveyor 160 are driven by the shaft 177 of the auger 169. The drive to the auger 162 above the tang 161 is obtained from the elevator 160. The drive of the conveyor belt 163 in the tank 161 is obtained from the shaft 196 (FIGURE 6) to the roller 167. The drive to the auger 168 located near the bottom of the tank 161 is also obtained directly from the driving shaft 196. The drive to the ground wheels 21 is obtained by a conventional transmission from the motor 195 and is not, accordingly, shown in detail.

The combine harvester described operates in the following manner. The combine harvester moves in the direction of the arrow A during operation and the standing crop is urged by the tines 59 of the reel 57, rotating in the direction of the arrow B, towards the knife of the cutter bar 31 which preferably has a length of 230 centimetres. The cut crop is carried rearwardly by the tines 59 of the reel and is fed to the threshing drum 80 which extends throughout the width. of the cutting mechanism. The threshing drum 80 rotates in the direction of the arrow C and the cut crop passes between the drum 80 and the thresher concave 98. The greater part of the grain or the like of the crop to be threshed falls through openings in the thresher concave 98 into the endless conveyor 188 arranged "below same.

Some crop will still not have been threshed :after passage between the drum 80 and concave 98 and this unthreshed crop together with the earless stalks or straw pass towards the guide 102 and support member or element 117. The member in form of the endless conveyor 132 urges the threshed and unthreshed crop rearwardly over the guide 102 and element 117 since the sprockets 135 and 136 are caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow D. The speed of the conveyor may be about kilometres per hour. The threshed and unthreshed crop first passes over the guide 102 comprising the laminations 104 and then passes over the plate-shaped element 117, both the guide 102 and the element 17 cooperating with the lower run of the endless conveyor 132. As stated previously, the term plate-shaped denotes that the thickness of the element is less than the length and the width thereof. Also as stated previously, the plate-shaped element 117 extends throughout the width of the threshing drum 80. As the threshed and unthreshed crop passes along the corrugated slotted plate-shaped element 117, the last remains of the grain or the like are removed and drop onto the sieves 155. The threshed stalks or straw then pass to the rear of the combine harvester and drop to the ground. The rubber blades 148 rotating in the direction of the arrow E remove any stalks from the conveyor 132 before it passes onto its upper run.

It will be seen from FIGURE 3 that plates 217 are provided near the rearmost ends of the walls 26 and extend from the walls obliquely downwards and forwards so that the threshed crop can be effectively guided and ejected from the combine harvester.

During operation, :as stated previously, the conveyor 132 has a relatively high speed and, by means of the eccentric 149, the plate-shaped element 117 is caused to perform a rapid vibrating motion in a substantially vertical direction about the axes of the pins 118 against the action of the compression spring 124. This greatly assists in cooperation between the element 117 and the endless conveyor 132.

The grain or the like falls through the openings in the thresher concave 98, between the laminations of the guide 102 and through the slots in the element 117, the grain or the like falling from the concave 98 and the guide 102 being delivered by the conveyor 118 onto the uppermost sieve 155. The grain or the like falling through the openings or slots in the element 117 together with any unthreshed crop also fall into the sieves 155 of the cleaning mechanism. The fan 156 blows a stream of air through and across the sieves 155 and cleans the grain or the like of chaff and the like. As seen in FIGURE 3, the walls 26 taper towards the lower side of the combine harvester and hence a Wind tunnel is formed within which the sieves are located. Any unthreshed crop on the sieves is thrown onto :a guide 217 beneath the sieves and is conveyed to the trough 158 located beneath the sieves.

The last grain or the like falling from the threshed crop and any crop still not yet threshed are collected in the gutter 186 located at the end of the element 117. Such a product then falls to the feeder 185 and thence to the portion 181 of the conveyor 172 into the casing 171 of the elevator 170. The material supplied by the guide 217 which is not yet threshed and a small quantity of threshed crop is conveyed by the auger 169 towards the portion 180 of the conveyor 172 and is passed to the opening 187 together with the material from the gutter 186 to the threshing drum 80.

The driver on his seat can observe the material being passed in the elevator 170 by looking through the opening 187. It will be evident that if there is a relatively large amount of unthreshed crop in the elevator 170, then it would probably be advisable to make adjustment to the threshing mechanisms. Hence the driver can tell at any instant how efiiciently the crop is being threshed.

The trough 157 collects the threshed cleaned crop falling from the sieves 155 and feeds such crop to the elevator 160 by way of the auger 159, the elevator 160 carrying the crop through the auger 162 into the tank 161 on top of the combine harvester. The provision of the endless conveyor belt 163 in the tank 161 assists in the uniform filling of the tank. When the tank is being emptied by means of the auger 168 at the bottom of the tank, the endless conveyor 163 can again be used to assist in the emptying by feeding the crop to the auger 168.

The threshing drum which can deflect resiliently during operation against the action of the compression spring 92 can also be adjusted relative to its associated thresher concave 98 on operation of the screwthreaded crank 95. Turning of the screwthreaded crank causes the threshing drum 80 to pivot upwardly or downwardly about the axis of the pin 83, which axis is coincident with the axis of the shaft 133 of the conveyor 134 so that the drive to the threshing drum 80 is not affected by any. adjustmentsthereto. In fact, the pin 83 forms the end of the shaft 133 which projects from the walls 26.

As mentioned previously, the guide 102 is provided, with an outwardly projecting arm 111 which is engaged by the lower end of a rod 114 that has its upper end connected to an angle lever 116. Turning of the angle lever 116 can vary the distance between the conveyor belt 132 and the guide 102 and accordingly the pressure exerted between same during operation can be varied according to the nature of the crop and the desired amount of threshing to be carried out by the guide 102. It will be evident that the threshing drum 80 is also adjusted according to the nature of the crop.

During operation, the mowing platform 36 can readily follow unevennesses in the ground surface owing to its resilient support. Downward turning of the mowing platform about the pins 29 will cause a restoring force to be generated in the compression springs 40 which tends to oppose such downward turning. The mowing platform 36 can be readily moved into a suitable transport position by upwardly turning same about the pins 29 by means of the lever 52 arranged near the drivers seat. The lever 52 can be fixed in a transport setting by means of a pin 218 being taken through a suitable hole in the lever 52.

The height of the reel 57 above the mowing platform 36 can be varied by means of the arm 77 which can be fixed in a plurality of angular settings by taking the pin 78 through any chosen hole in the neighboring supporting arm 73 of the reel. The particular connection of the tines 59 to the reel 57 assists in uniform and effective gathering of crop to be cut and thrested. With the aid of the continuously variable change-speed in the drive to the threshing drum 80, the speed of revolution of the drum can be varied simply at will. The speed of the conveyor 132 which co-operates with the element 117 can be modi fied at will in a simple manner by means of the continuously variable change-speed 207 in the drive to the conveyor 132. The speed of rotation of the reel 57 and the speed of the knife in the cutter bar 31 can also be varied at will by means of the continuously variable changespeed 215.

In the combine harvester described, the threshing drum 80 and the thresher concave 98 are located directly behind the cutting mechanism so that the complicated measures hitherto employed for feeding cut or collected crop to the threshing drum can be dispensed with.

Since the threshing mechanism comprising the threshing drum 80 and the separating mechanism comprising the supporting member 117 both of which extend throughout the width of the cutting mechanism, the machine has a very high threshing capacity and hence relatively fast speeds of operation over the ground can be used without great risk of clogging occurring.

The plate-shaped element 117 and the endless conveyor 132 are able to work the crop which passes from the threshing drum to remove any crop still unthreshed. With the construction which described the conventional, complicated shaker system formed by winnowing or fork shakers normally used which are likely to become defective, are no longer needed.

This construction of element 117 and endless conveyor 132 provides a considerable simplification without adversely affecting the capacity and mode of threshing of crop. The combine harvester described has a greatly increased threshing capacity so that a greater efiiciency is obtainable. Owing to the toeing-in of the rear steering wheels, the combine harvester can be steered relatively easily even at higher speeds of operation. The relatively low structure of the combine harvester ensures satisfactory use even in undulating or steeply inclined fields. The combine harvester described is relatively cheap, simple in construction, but has the desired capacity and threshing operation.

However, it will be evident that the threshing and separating mechanisms described above, together with the device for checking how efliciently the crop is being threshed, can be utilised in machines other than combine harvesters. It will be apparent that they could be readily utilised in stationary threshing machines.

What we claim is:

1. A threshing machine having a frame and a separating mechanism for at least partly separating grain from crop supported on said frame, a cutting mechanism and a threshing mechanism mounted, respectively, on said frame forwardly of said separating mechanism, said mechanisms having substantially the same width elevator means for displacing crop processed by said threshing and separating mechanisms, said elevator means having an opening for viewing said crop from the drivers seat, said elevator means including a conveyor to displace threshed crop adjacent said opening and said conveyor communicating with a collecting gutter located near the rear' end of said separating mechanism.

2. A threshing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said threshing mechanism includes a threshing drum and concave located directly behind said cutting mechanism.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said threshing drum is mounted on a shaft which is adjustable and fixable by adjusting means in a plurality of different positions relative to said concave.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said adjustment means is connected to a screw'threaded crank and said crank is resiliently coupled through a rod system with the shaft of the threshing drum, whereby said rod system is resiliently coupled with said shaft of said drum.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collect'ing gutter extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein a cleaning mechanism with sieves is included in said separating mechanism and at least one collecting trough is positioned beneath said sieves, said conveyor also communicating with said collecting trough.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein said conveyor comprises an endless belt accommodated inside a casing, said conveyor being divided into two portions in its longitudinal direction.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said casing has an inwardly directed wall which divides the width of the conveyor belt into said two portions.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein one portion of the conveyor belt communicates with said trough beneath the sieves of the cleaning mechanism and the other portion of the conveyor belt communicates with said collecting gutter arranged near the rear side of the separating mechanism.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said conveyor opens into the threshing mechanism.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said threshing mechanism includes a rotary drum and said conveyor is provided, at the level of said threshing drum, with an opening through which said conveyor belt can be observed by the driver.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separating mechanism includes moving means and a supporting member, said moving means being connected to a continuously variable change-speed member for controlling the speed of said moving means, said changespeed mechanism being coupled to a prime mover.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting member is comprised of a plate-shaped element which forms an uninterrupted sheet.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plate-shaped element is formed by a number of interconnected strips, the ends of said strips being bent over in opposite directions whereby the interconnected strips form a plate-shaped element having a corrugated shape and the strips extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a cleaning mechanism is supported on the frame and the plate-shaped element extends for the major part above the cleaning mechanism.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine includes a body, at least the major part of the upper side of said body being formed by a corrugated sheet, the corrugations of said sheet extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

17. A combine harvester having a frame, a threshing mechanism and a crop shaking assembly, said assembly comprising a substantially horizontal penforated supporting member, positioned adjacent said threshing mechanism, an endless conveyor member arranged above said supporting member, said conveyor being positioned to move threshed crop across said supporting member, driving means for causing said supporting member to perform substantially vertical vibratory motions in operation.

18. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein said supporting member comprises a plate-shaped element which is substantially rectangular as seen in plan view with the longer sides thereof extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said harvester.

19. A harvester as claimed in claim 18, wherein, in a direction transverse of the longitudinal center plane of the machine, the center of said plate-shaped element is at a higher level than its ends and said ends are located at substantially the same level above the ground.

20. A harvester as claimed in claim 18, wherein said plate-shaped element has a corrugated surface with the corrugations extending transversely of the longitudinal plane of the harvester.

21. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein the perforations of said supporting member are arranged in rows and said rows extend transverse of the longitudinal plane of the harvester.

22. A machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein said perforations are slot-shaped.

23. A harvester as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least some of said slots extend from a valley up to the crest of a corrugation formed in said supporting member, the slots of two adjacent rows being inclined to each other.

24. A harvester as claimed in claim 22, wherein the longitudinal axes of said slots are inclined at an angle of about 45 to the longitudinal plane of said harvester and the slots in the same row extend substantially parallel to each other.

25. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein said driving means comprises a pivotal mounting near one end of said supporting member, the other end of said supporting member being coupled with an eccentric, a spring bearing on said supporting member to counteract the vibratory motions of said supporting member induced by said driving means.

26. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein said endless conveyor is guided over at least two shafts extending transversely of the longitudinal plane of said harvester, at least one of said shafts being driven.

27. A harvester as claimed in claim 26, wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of supports, extending transversely of the longitudinal plane of said harvester, said supports arranged at equal distances from each other, and being provided with strips of elastic material.

28. A harvester as claimed in claim 27, wherein said conveyor comprises chains which are fitted over sprockets mounted on said shafts, the lowermost points of said sprockets being located below the uppermost points of said supporting member.

29. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein the threshing mechanism comprises a threshing drum and a thresher concave cooperating therewith, the width of said threshing drum being substantially equal to the width of said supporting member, said threshing drum being located in front of the supporting member.

30. A harvester as claimed in claim 29, wherein said endless conveyor is guided over at least two shafts extending transversely of the longitudinal plane of the harvester, at least one of said shafts being driven and one of said shafts being located in front of said supporting member but behind and adjacent said threshing drum, the other of said shafts being located behind said supporting member.

31. A harvester as claimed in claim 30, wherein the shaft of said conveyor located behind and adjacent the threshing drum is located at a lower level than said other shaft arranged behind the supporting member.

32. A harvester as claimed in claim 31, wherein said other shaft arranged behind the supporting member is the driven shaft.

33. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lower run of said conveyor cooperates with said supporting member.

34. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein said conveyor is guided over two shafts, one of said shafts being driven, a scraper for said conveyor, said scraper comprising a rotary shaft provided with elastic blades.

35. A harvester as claimed in claim 26, wherein said conveyor is guided over two shafts, one of said shafts being driven, a guide positioned between the threshing mechanism and the supporting member, a lower end of said conveyor being adjacent said guide.

36. A machine as claimed in claim 35, wherein said guide extends between a threshing concave and said supporting member.

37. A harvester as claimed in claim 35, wherein said guide comprises a number of spaced laminations, said laminations extending transversely of the longitudinal plane of said harvester substantially parallel with each other.

3 8. A machine as claimed in claim '35, wherein viewed from one side, said guide extends in an upward are between its ends.

39. A machine as claimed in claim 35, wherein said guide is pivotally connected to said frame adjacent said supporting member, said guide being resiliently supported at the end facing said threshing mechanism.

40. A harvester as claimed in claim 39, wherein said guide has pivots and an adjusting member is connected to said guide to move and fix same in a plurality of angular positions about said pivots.

41. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein said threshing mechanism comprises a threshing drum and a threshing concave, said drum being located directly behind a mowing platform mounted at the forward end of said harvester.

42. A harvester as claimed in claim 41, wherein said threshing drum is adjustable and fixable in a plurality of different positions relative to said thresher concave.

43. A harvester as claimed in claim 42, wherein said threshing drum is mounted on a shaft and, for adjustment of said threshing drum, there is provided a screwthreaded crank coupled through a rod system with the shaft of said threshing drum.

44. A harvester as claimed in claim 43, wherein said rod system is resiliently coupled with the shaft of said drum.

45. A harvester as claimed in claim 17, wherein a continuously variable change-speed member is provided for controlling the speed of said endless conveyor member cooperating with said supporting member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,598 11/1910 Ayler -21 1,857,265 5/1932 Stephens 13027.9 2,292,650 8/ 1942 Oehler et al 56-21 X 2,382,965 8/1945 Appel 13021 2,574,010 11/1951 Bjorndahl 130-24 2,697,944 12/1954 Wenham 119-14.16 X 2,743,728 5/1956 Carlson 130--27.9 2,753,980 7/1956 Ballard 198-174 2,937,647 5/1960 Allen et a1. l3026 3,049,128 8/1962 Mark et a1. 13026 3,202,154 8/ 1965 Viebrock 13027.6

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

